Bowling game with sequentially illuminated bulbs simulating bowler and ball movements



Aug. 60, 1966 J. c. Kocl ET AL 3,26 31 BOWLING GAME WITH SEQUENTIALLYILLUMINATED BULBS SIMULAT N BOWLER AND BALL MOVEMENTS Filed Aug. 2, 19634 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV T0125: RRY 8.1m AND BERT S 0141 1425.

Aug. 30, 366 J. c. KOCI ETAL 3,269,731

BOWLING GAME WITH SEQUENTIALLY ILLUMINATED BULBS SIMULATING BOWLER ANDBALL MOVEMENTS Filed Aug. 2, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IKIVENTORS Aug. 30,19% J. c. Kocl ETAL 3,26,731

BOWLING GAME WITH SEQUENTIALLY ILLUMINA'IED BULBS SIMULATING BOWLER ANDBALL MOVEMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2, 1965 Aug. 30, 1966 J. c.KOCI ET AL 3,269,731

BOWLING GAME WITH SEQUENTIALLY ILLUMINATED BULBS SIMULATING BOWLER ANDBALL MOVEMENTS Filed Aug. 2, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mew THE/ AZ'IWJP/V KUnited States Patent 3,269,731 BOWLING GAME WITH SEQUENTIALLY ILLUMI-NATED BULBS SIMULATING BOWLER AND BALL MGVEMENTS Jerry C. Koei,Barrington, and Albert Schlapa, Hinsdale,

Ill, assignors to Qhicago Dynamic Industries, Inc, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 299,628 Claims.(Cl. 273-85) Our invention relates to new and useful improvements insimulated bowling games in which a plurality of successively energizedlights is employed to produce a silhouette to simulate a bowler throwinga ball toward a target consisting of movable simulated bowling pins andto simulate the return of the ball down a return trough.

An object of such invention is to provide in such a game, lightssuccessively energized to produce silhouettes first to simulate a playerin the action of picking up a ball, throwing the ball toward the target,and then simulating the ball rolling down a return trough to a positionwhere the ball appears as being again picked up by the simulated player.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an arrangementwhereby the player may change the path along which the silhouetted ballis to travel toward its target of simulated bowling pins.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view of the game apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1, as viewed beneath the translucent plate thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially online 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially online 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of the simulatedbowling pin support;

FIG. 6 illustrates suggested schematic circuits embodied in ourinvention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 7-7 of FIG.1.

The several objects of the invention are accomplished by the preferredform of construction shown in the accompanying drawings. In thisconnection, a cabinet is indicated at 10 (FIG. 1). This cabinet includesside and end walls 11 and 12, respectively. At one end of the cabinet isa score box 13 within which are arranged score units and elements ofwell-known construction. Such elements and units are not describedherein, as they do not constitute any part of the present invention. Thecabinet 10 has a transparent cover 14. Beneath this cover 14 is atranslucent panel 15 of substantially the same area as the cover 14 andspaced a predetermined distance therefrom. On the translucent panel 15is screened or painted a simulated return trough 16.

The front or players end of the cabinet 10 is provided with a panel 17on which are mounted in spaced relation with respect to each other,directional push buttons 18 and 19. Also mounted on the panel 17 is ashot push button 20.

Beneath the translucent panel 15 is a mounting plate 21 spaced apredetermined distance beneath the plate 15 and of the same general areaand in parallel relation with respect thereto.

"ice

Mounted on a plate 21' is a braket 22. This bracket '22 by means ofblocks 23 is supported in spaced relation above the mounting plate 21.Extending longitudinally with respect to the mounting plate 21 is a bar23. The bar 23 is substantially channel-shaped in cross section (FIG. 3)and includes a filler block 24 preferably of wood or other lightmaterial. In the bar 23 there are formed in equal spaced relation withrespect to each other, openings 25. Beneath each of these openings is anelectric bulb 26 supported by a suitable socket 27 mounted on a bracket28. Inwardly of the end portion 29 (FIG. 2) of the bar 23, the bar 23 ispivoted as to 30 to the bracket 22. The end portion 31 of the bar 23extends from a relatively fiat wide plate 32 to which it is fixed bysecuring the same thereto. This plate 32 is provided with an opening 33and openings 34 in alignment with respect to each other. Beneath theopening 33 and other openings 34 are electric bulbs 35 and 35'respectively which are mounted in the sockets 36 similar to the sockets27. The sockets 36, like the sockets 27, are supported by brackets 37from the bar 23.

Formed in the plate 32 in longitudinal alignment with respect to eachother are cut-out portions generally indicated at 38 in a form tooutline simulated bowlers in running alignment with respect to eachother. As seen in FIG. 2, three of the cut-out simulated bowlers,indicated at 40, each have an arm extending into the opening 34 andprogressively from the bot-tom of the plate 32 the arm and legs of thesimulated bowler are in different positions so as to simulate runningaction of the bowler.

Beneath the cut-out portions 38 are electric bulbs 38' which whensuccessively energized produce the silhouetted simulated bowler inrunning action upon the plate 15.

The end portion 31 of the bar 23 as shown in FIG. 2, is supported on acarriage 41. The carriage 41 is supported by a pair of wheels 42 and awheel 43 for movement transversely of a plate 41 spaced -fromthemounting plate 21 by blocks 42 (FIG. 2). The wheels 42 ride on the topsurface of the plate 41', whereas the wheel 43 engages the under surfacethereof. The wheel 43 is carried by an arm 44 having a pair of slots 45through which attachment screws 46 project, the screws 46 being threadedinto the carriage plate 41. This form of slot and screw connectionpermits the arm 44 to be adjusted relative to the carriage plate 41 soas to properly position the wheel 43 in balanced relation with respectto the wheels 42.

As is apparent, the bar 23 is permitted to oscillate in a horizontalplane about its pintle 30. This oscillation is accomplished by means ofa reversible motor 48 having a shaft 49 to which is connected a link 50(FIG. 2). The link 50 is connected to an arm 51 which in turn has itsend portion pivotally connected as at 52 to the bar 23.

Extending longitudinally of the mounting plate 21 and supported by theplates 21 and 41 is an elongated bar 53 having a horizontal flange 54provided with a plurality of equally spaced openings 55. The bar iscut-out as at 53 to permit passage of the carriage 41. The end portion56 of the horizontal flange 54 is provided with adjacent spaced apartopenings 57 and 57. Beneath the openings and the opening 57 are arrangedelectric bulbs 26' similar to the electric bulbs 26 and mounted insockets similar to the sockets 27. A similar electric bulb 28' isarranged beneath the opening 57 and is connected in series with alimiting switch 74 hereinafter mentioned. The electric bulbs 26' and thebulb 28' are disposed beneath the simulated trough 16 (FIG. 1) so thatwhen such bulbs are successively illuminated, there will be a simulationof the silhouetted ball rolling down the return trough 16. I

Within the score box 13' is a mounting structure 58 having mountedthereon as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of electromagnetic coils 59.Each of these coils includes a solenoid or plunger 60. Each plungercarries a simulated bowling pin 61. When the coils 59 are energized, thesolenoids 60 will be drawn within the coils 59 to lift the simulatedbowling pins 61 to a position within the box 13 where they are concealedfrom view.

It is intended that the units included in the box be such as willilluminate upon the face 13 of the box, bowling pins 61 which correspondto the number of pins which have been drawn within the box 13 by thecoils 59. As before stated, the mechanism for energizing the coils 59may be of any approved construction and circuitry.

In FIG. 6, we have schematically illustrated two circuits A and B,respectively. The circuit A controls the reversible motor 48. By theindependent operation of the directional control switches 18' and 19-forexample, when the directional control switch 18 is closed the motor willrotate in one direction, that is, in a clockwise direction, and willpivot the bar 23 to the left as viewed in FIG. 2. When the directionalcontrol switch 19 is closed, the directional control switch 18' beingopen, the motor 48 will rotate in an opposite, or counterclockwise,direction with the result that the bar 23 will pivot to the right asviewed in FIG. 2.

The end 31 of the bar 23 carries a wiper finger 62 which is adapted tohave wiping contact successively with contact 63 carried by the plate 41and arranged in alignment with respect to each other. These pins 63 areconnected together as shown in circuit B. To these pins 63 correspondingsides 64 of the electric bulbs 26, 26 and 35 are connected. The wiperfinger 62 is connected to a ground 65. The opposite side of each of suchelectric bulbs 26, 26' and 35 is connected to a group of contacts 66, asseen in circuit B (FIG. 6). Three of the bulbs 38 are connected inseries with adjacent bulbs 35. These contacts 66 are included as a partof a step-up switch 67 having a wiper finger 68 which has successivewiping contact with the contacts 66. The reason for connecting each ofthe opposite sides of the electric bulbs with a group of contacts 66 isto extend the duration of illumination of the bulb. We have found thatif a single contact is employed .for each of the opposite sides of theelectric bulbs, the bulb will have too short a period of illuminationand thus destroy the illusion intended, namely, that of the bowlingaction of the simulated bowler as well as movement of the simulatedball.

The wiper finger 68 is connected to one side of a power source 69, theother side of the power source being grounded as at 70 (see circuit B,FIGURE 6). Through the medium of a shaft 71 of a motor 72, the wiperfinger 68 is caused to rotate in wiping contact with respect to thecontacts 66. This motor is connected in circuit with a switch 76actuated by a holding relay 73, and in the circuit of the motor 72 is aconventional limiting switch 74 which permits the motor 72 to operatethrough one complete cycle. In this instance, the limiting switch 74 isactuated by a cam 75 (FIG. 2) actuated by the motor 72.

The coil 73 is energized by a shot switch actuated by the shot button20. When the shot switch 20' is closed, the coil 73 will be energized toclose the switch 76 to hold the circuit for the motor 72 until thelimiting switch 74 is opened by the cam 75, whereupon the coil 73 willbe dc-energized and the switch 76 opened. The motor will haves-ufiicient inertia after the opening of the switch 76 to rotate theshaft thereof to a position where the switch 74 will be closed and inposition to permit a new cycle of rotation upon the energization of thecoil 73 and closing of the switch 76.

Each of the directional control buttons 18 and 19 as well as the shotbutton 20 may be of similar construction, varying in size. In thisconnection, I have shown in FIG. 7, a suggested construction whichincludes a bezel 77 having an opening 78 through which projects the head79 of the push button disc 80. The disc carries a plunger 81 whichnormally rests upon an upper leaf 82 of the shot switch 18. When thebutton 79 is pressed against the action of a spring 83, the plunger 81will move the spring leaf 82 into contact with the spring leaf 84, thusclosing the switch 18' (or 19 or 20, as the case may be).

When the game is not in operation, the light-bearing bar 23 is in thefull line position shown in FIG. 2. The wiper finger 68 (FIG. 6) is incontact with the contact 66 of the step-in switch 67. The wiper finger62 is out of engagement with the contacts 63 (FIG. 6). The controlswitches 18' and 19 are in open position, as are the switches 20' and76. The switch 74' is in closed position to establish a circuit for thebulb 28' which is now energized, to simulate a ball in the returntrough.

To operate the game, the operator closes either of the directionalcontrol switches 13' or 19' by pressing the button 18 or 19. Assumingthat the directional control switch 18 is closed: the closing of suchswitch will establish a circuit to the motor 48 which will remainenergized as long as the directional control switch 18' is closed.

As the motor 48 begins its cycle of rotation, the cam 75' will open theswitch 74', deenergizing the bulb 28. Simultaneously with this startingoperation of the motor 48, the bar 23 will pivot, bringing the wiperfinger 62 into contact with the contacts 63 to establish a circuitenergizing the electric bulb 35 adjacent the electric bulb 28 (FIG. 2),thus to simulate the picking up of the bowling ball from the end of thereturn trough to the hand of the simulated silhouetted bowler at thelower end portion of the plate 32. The operator will maintain thecontrol switch 18 in closed position until he has positioned thesimulated bowling ball produced by the illumination of the lowermostlight bulb 35' in a desired position with respect to the target (thesimulated bowling pins 61). When the operator has accomplished thispositioning of the simulated bowling ball, he then closes the shotswitch 20 by pressing the shot button 20. The closing of the switch 20energizes the holding relay 73 which in turn closes the switch 76,establishing a holding circuit for the motor 72. Upon rotation of thismotor 72, the wiper finger 68 will be rotated into wiping engagementwith respect to the contacts 66 to successively illuminate the remainingof the electric bulbs 35' and the bulbs 38' in series therewith, and tothereafter successively energize the electric bulbs 26, thus to simulatethe rolling of a bowling ball toward the target. At the end or terminalof such rolling of the simulated ball and continued operation of thewiper finger 68, the electric bulbs 26 will be successively energized tosimulate the return of the ball down the return trough to its originalstarting position. This is completed by the reclosing of the switch 74',which energizes the electric bulb 28' to produce a silhouetted bowlingball at the end of the return trough.

At the completion of a cycle of rotation of the wiper finger 68, the cam75 operated by the motor 72 will open the switch 74 to deenergize themotor 72. There remains a sufiicient inertia of the motor to rotate soas to position the wiper finger 68 in contact with the contact 66,preparing an electric circuit to the first of the electric bulbs 35 uponmovement of the wiper 62 into contact with the contacts 63.

If it be desired, a well-known type of coin control mechanism may beincorporated in the circuits shown in FIG. 6, whereby the game can beplayed only upon deposit of a coin of predetermined denomination.

From the foregoing description, we have provided a simulated bowlinggame which will afford the maximum amusement to the player and one inwhich the operation is relatively simple and understandable, as Well asattractive, to the player.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying our invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. We therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise detailsof constructon set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. An amusement bowling game apparatus comprising (a) a cabinet havingarranged therein in a horizontal plane a translucent panel on thesurface of which is a representation of a simulated ball return trough,

(b) an elongated stationary member within said cabinet beneath and inparallel relation with respect to said simulated trough and having aplurality of openings formed therein in spaced relation with respect toeach other,

(c) electric bulbs beneath the openings of said stationary member,

(d) a movable elongated member arranged in said cabinet beneath saidpanel and having a plurality of equally spaced openings therein andhaving at one end thereof spaced cut-out portions defining figures of abowler in various bowling positions to progressively depict running andthrowing of a ball, the arm of certain of the figures extending intocertain of the openings adjacent thereto,

(e) means for mounting said movable member in said cabinet foroscillatory movement in a horizontal plane,

(f) electric bulbs supported by said movable member beneath saidopenings thereof and beneath said cutout portions and when energizedpresenting successive silhouettes of said bowler and said openings ofsaid movable member upon the translucent panel,

(g) means for oscillating said movable member,

(h) means for successively energizing said electric bulbs in both ofsaid elongated members to produce on said panel said silhouettes inprogressive movement,

(i) means controlled by said oscillating means for holding energized theelectric bulb beneath and at the end of said simulated trough, and

(j) means actuated by said means for successively energizing saidelectric bulbs for energizing the first of said electric bulbs on saidmovable member when said last-mentioned electric bulb is deenergized bysaid oscillating means whereby to simulate the picking up of thesimulated ball from the end of the trough by the simulated bowlerdefined by the first cut-out portion of said movable member.

2. The apparatus defined by claim 1 further characterized by theinclusion of (k) means under the control of the player of the gameapparatus for operating said oscillating means.

3. An amusement bowling game apparatus comprising (a) a cabinet havingarranged therein in a horizontal plane a translucent panel on thesurface of which is a representation of a simulated ball return trough,

(b) an elongated stationary member within said cabinet beneath and inparallel relation with respect to said simulated trough and having aplurality of openings formed therein in spaced relation with respect toeach other,

(c) electric bulbs beneath the openings of said stationary member,

(d) a movable elongated member arranged in said cabinet beneath saidpanel and having a plurality of equally spaced openings therein andhaving at one end thereof spaced cut-out portions defining figures of abowler in various bowling positions to progressively depict running andthrowing of a ball, the arm of certain of the figures extending intocertain of the openings adjacent thereto,

(e) means for mounting said movable member in said cabinet foroscillatory movement in a horizontal plane,

(f) electric bulbs supported by said movable member beneath saidopenings thereof and beneath said cutout portions and when energizedpresenting successive silhouettes of said bowler and said openings ofsaid movable member upon the translucent panel,

(g) means for oscillating said movable member,

(h) means for successively energizing said electric bulbs in both ofsaid elongated members to produce on said panel said silhouettes inprogressive movement,

(i) means under the control of the player of the apparatus forinitiating the operation of the means for successively energizing theelectric bulbs,

(j) means controlled by said oscillating means for holding energized theelectric bulb beneath and at the end of said simulated trough, and

(k) means actuated by said means for successively energizing saidelectric bulbs for energizing the first of said electric bulbs of saidmovable member when said last-mentioned electric bulb is deenergized bysaid oscillating means whereby to simulate the picking up of thesimulated ball from the end of the trough by the simulated bowlerdefined by the first cut-out portion of said movable member.

4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 further characterized by theinclusion of (l) a holding circuit for said means for successivelyenergizing said electric bulbs after the initial operation of saidlatter means by the player.

5. An amusement bowling game apparatus comprising (a) a cabinet havingarranged therein in a horizontal plane a translucent panel on thesurface of which is a representation of a simulated ball return trough,

(b) an elongated stationary member within said cabinet beneath and inparallel relation with respect to said simulated trough and having aplurality of openings formed therein in spaced relation with respect toeach other,

(c) electric bulbs beneath the openings of said stationary member,

(d) a movable elongated member arranged in said cabinet beneath saidpanel and having a plurality of equally spaced openings therein andhaving at one end thereof spaced cut-out portions defining figures of abowler in various bowling positions to progressively depict running andthrowing of a ball, the arm of certain of the figures extending intocertain of the openings adjacent thereto,

(e) means for mounting said movable member in said cabinet foroscillatory movement in a horizontal plane,

(f) electric bulbs supported by said movable member beneath saidopenings thereof and beneath said cutout portions and when energizedpresenting successive silhouettes of said bowler and said openings ofsaid movable member upon the translucent panel,

(g) electric motor means for oscillating said movable member,

(h) and means under the control of the player of the apparatus forcontrolling the operation of said motor means to oscillate said movablemember at a selected position on either side of its mounting and beneathSaid panel,

(i) means for successively energizing said electric bulbs in both ofsaid elongated members to produce on said panel said silhouettes inprogressive movement,

(j) means controlled by said electric motor means for holding energizedthe electric bulb beneath and at the end of said simulated trough, and

(k) means actuated by said means for successively energizing saidelectric bulbs for energizing the first of said electric bulbs on saidmovable member when said last-mentioned electric bulb is deenergized by'7 8 said oscillating means whereby to simulate the pick- 2,531,60811/1950 Bula 273-1011 ing up of the simulated ball from the end of the2, 09,203 9 1952 Bula 273 5 trough by the simulated bowler defined bythe first 2 925 275 2/1960 schlapa 273 85 X cut-out portion of saidmovable member.

References Cited by the Examiner 5 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS ANTON 0. OECHSLE, Examiner.

2,300,132 10/1942 New 273-1012

1. AN AMUSEMENT BOWLING GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A CABINET HAVINGARRANGED THEREIN IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE A TRANSLUCENT PANEL ON THESURFACE OF WHICH IS A REPRESENTATION OF A SIMULATED BALL RETURN TROUGH,(B) AN ELONGATED STATIONARY MEMBER WITHIN SAID CABINET BENEATH AND INPARALLEL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SIMULATED TROUGH AND HAVING APLURALITY OF OPENINGS FORMED THEREIN IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT TOEACH OTHER, (C) ELECTRIC BULBS BENEATH THE OPENINGS OF SAID STATIONARYMEMBER, (D) A MOVABLE ELONGATED MEMBER ARRANGED IN SAID CABINET BENEATHSAID PANEL AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF EQUALLY SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN ANDHAVING AT ONE END THEREOF SPACED CUT-OUT PORTIONS DEFINING FIGURES OF ABOWLER IN VARIOUS BOWLING POSITIONS TO PROGRESSIVELY DEPICT RUNNING ANDTHROWING OF A BALL, THE ARM OF CERTAIN OF THE FIGURES EXTENDING INTOCERTAIN OF THE OPENINGS ADJACENT THERETO, (E) MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAIDMOVABLE MEMBER IN SAID CABINET FOR OSCILLATORY MOVEMENT IN A HORIZONTALPLANE, (F) ELECTRIC BULBS SUPPORTED BY SAID MOVABLE MEMBER BENEATH SAIDOPENINGS THEREOF AND BENEATH SAID CUTOUT PORTIONS AND WHEN ENERGIZEDPRESENTING SUCCESSIVE SILHOUETTES OF SAID BOWLER AND SAID OPENINGS OFSAID MOVABLE MEMBER UPON THE TRANSLUCENT PANEL, (G) MEANS FOROSCILLATING SAID MOVABLE MEMBER, (H) MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY ENERGIZINGSAID ELECTRIC BULBS IN BOTH OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS TO PRODUCE ON SAIDPANEL SAID SILHOUETTES IN PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT, (I) MEANS CONTROLLED BYSAID OSCILLATING MEANS FOR HOLDING ENERGIZED THE ELECTRIC BULB BENEATHAND AT THE END OF SAID SIMULATED TROUGH, AND (J) MEANS ACTUATED BY SAIDMEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY ENERGIZING SAID ELECTRIC BULBS FOR ENERGIZING THEFIRST OF SAID ELECTRIC BULBS ON SAID MOVABLE MEMBER WHEN SAIDLAST-MENTIONED ELECTRIC BULB IS DEENERGIZED BY SAID OSCILLATING MEANSWHEREBY TO SIMULATE THE PICKING UP OF THE SIMULATED BALL FROM THE END OFTHE TROUGH BY THE SIMULATED BOWLER DEFINED BY THE FIRST CUT-OUT PORTIONOF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER.